Statement by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes on Syrian Chemical Weapons Use

At the President’s direction, the United States Government has been closely monitoring the potential use of chemical weapons within Syria. Following the assessment made by our intelligence community in April, the President directed the intelligence community to seek credible and corroborated information to build on that assessment and establish the facts with some degree of certainty. Today, we are providing an updated version of our assessment to Congress and to the public.

The United States is deeply concerned about the situation in Lebanon. The latest clashes in the northern city of Tripoli, in which at least 23 people have been killed, constitute a stark reminder that the conflict in Syria poses an increasingly dangerous threat to Lebanon’s stability and security.

We strongly condemn and deplore the Syrian government’s use of violence and mass arrests in response to ongoing demonstrations. We again salute the courage of Syrian protestors for insisting on their right to express themselves and we regret the loss of life on all sides.

Ros-Lehtinen, Engel Ask President to Tighten Pressure on Syrian Regime

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), a Senior Member on the Committee, sent a letter to the President asking him to fully implement U.S. sanctions laws targeting Syria and to step up support for democracy promotion in Syria. Ros-Lehtinen and Engel authored the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-175), which sought to mandate sanctions against Syria for its threatening activities. Full text of the letter follows below.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) proposed 5-year, $38 million aid plan for Syria. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following statement today condemning the Syrian regime’s continued and increasingly violent repression of the Syrian people:

I strongly condemn the abhorrent violence committed against peaceful protesters by the Syrian government today and over the past few weeks. I also condemn any use of violence by protesters. The United States extends our condolences to the families and loved ones of all the victims.

The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon due to current safety and security concerns. U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on October 8, 2010, and updates information on security and kidnapping threats in Lebanon

9 March 2011 –Lebanon’s paralysis over forming a government has prevented progress in implementing some of its key obligations in the United Nations resolution that ended the fighting between Israel and Hizbollah in 2006, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest report on the issue.

9 March 2011 –Lebanon’s paralysis over forming a government has prevented progress in implementing some of its key obligations in the United Nations resolution that ended the fighting between Israel and Hizbollah in 2006, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest report on the issue.

DEPUTY SECRETARY STEINBERG: Thank you, Madam Chairman. And let me begin on behalf of Secretary Clinton to congratulate you on taking the gavel here and to express how much we look forward to working with you and Ranking Member Berman, and all of the members of the Committee, and to express appreciation for holding this timely hearing.

The President spoke with Egyptian President Mubarak this morning on a broad range of issues, to include the New Year’s Day attack on a Coptic Christian church in Alexandria, developments in Tunisia and Lebanon, and how best to advance Middle East peace.

Statement by the President on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Announcement

I welcome the announcement by the Office of the Prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon today that he has filed an indictment relating to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others. This action represents an important step toward ending the era of impunity for murder in Lebanon, and achieving justice for the Lebanese people. I know that this is a significant and emotional time for the Lebanese people, and we join the international community in calling on all Lebanese leaders and factions to preserve calm and exercise restraint. The United States is a strong friend of Lebanon and we stand steadfastly with others in support of Lebanese sovereignty, independence, and stability.